| tart --> | | | | certifications, and your relevant experience in the |
| As a service member who developed a rewarding | | | | field. Don't short change any one of the three if you |
| Information Technology career after leaving the | | | | want to maximize your potential and worth to an |
| military, I want to share some perspective on factors | | | | employer, and minimize your likelihood of being laid |
| you need to consider when choosing an educational | | | | off or replaced. You should also be aware that the |
| program for developing your career in IT. Talking | | | | IT arena is constantly evolving and advancing, so |
| with prospective students and attending education | | | | continuing-education and updating certifications will be |
| fairs, I interact with military members looking to | | | | a way of life. Don't let this discourage you since this |
| advance their education and considering IT careers | | | | makes for an interesting long-term career that can |
| on a regular basis. The 4 most common situations I | | | | be tweaked in varying directions and be very |
| encounter - | | | | satisfying and fulfilling. |
| The military member is:o Seeking a specific IT degree | | | | As for IT careers in general, you should also |
| and has the background needed to be successfulo | | | | understand that Information Technology must be a |
| Already employed in a career in IT and interested in | | | | strategic partner in most successful enterprises. It is |
| pursuing that Information Technology career path, | | | | not a silver-bullet to the organization's success but is |
| but unsure how best to proceedo Not currently | | | | a vital and critical support component to any |
| working in IT, but interested in an Information | | | | enterprise. As such, IT careers usually require 24/7 |
| Technology careero Currently working a career in | | | | attention, so be prepared for varied daily schedules, |
| Information Technology, but wants to get a degree | | | | and know that IT work-weeks can be notoriously |
| in a different field of IT | | | | long. If you choose your path wisely, this should not |
| With my military and IT related experience, I feel | | | | be a problem considering that the IT field has been |
| uniquely capable of offering relevant guidance to the | | | | one of the top two fields for job security and pay |
| member to help them make an informed choice of | | | | benefits for the past many years. |
| how to proceed. This 2nd article in my Information | | | | No matter what your personality - careers in IT are |
| Technology series provides discussion of some initial | | | | available for you. If you are not a people-person, IT |
| considerations the service member faces in choosing | | | | jobs are available in which you are off in a corner |
| an education path, as well as some things to consider | | | | rarely seen or bothered by anyone (you can be like a |
| when choosing information technology careers. | | | | mushroom in a dark cave.) However, if you're a |
| Center to any decision should be the understanding | | | | socialite, Information Technology jobs are also |
| that advanced education is important for promotion | | | | available where this trait is critical for promoting |
| purposes and to enhance the quality of life potential | | | | collaboration and helping keep IT a valued team |
| for you and your family. Further, you should take | | | | player in the enterprise. Jobs abound for personalities |
| advantage of the available funding to get your | | | | in-between those. |
| education as soon as possible, before it is no longer | | | | Finally with IT career experience in your background, |
| available. | | | | don't short change your education or experience as |
| Three main ingredients will likely determine your | | | | you move to another career field such as business, |
| success in an IT career path: your degree, your | | | | healthcare, or criminal justice. |